Pilgrims perform stoning of devil at Jamarat

MINA: Millions of pilgrims, after saying prayers on Eidul Azha morning and travelling by various means of transportation on Wednesday (10th Zulhaj), embarked on a journey from Muzdalifah to Mina for the stoning of the devil.

In the scorching heat, the walk can be long and tiring, so many people choose to go by bus or train. But hundreds of thousands of pilgrims including men and women could also be seen in groups, proceeding to Jamarat for stoning, the official news agency reported.

The pilgrims collected pebbles from Muzdalifah Tuesday night and made their way to Jamarat Bridge.

It is one of the final rites of Haj, which took place in a structure with three pillars symbolising the devil. Every pilgrim should hit one of the three walls of the Jamarat on three different occasions. The ritual will be repeated for two more days, with participants eventually casting stones at all three pillars.

Stoning is one of the most dangerous stages of Haj, with the press of people around the pillars creating the risk of a stampede.

In 2004, 244 people were killed, and a year later at least 360 died when several pilgrims tripped over baggage while others behind them kept pushing ahead. Saudi authorities subsequently built the current complex to reduce the risk of stampedes.